As we live in increasingly uncertain times, the need to feel supported and not alone becomes an ever greater need. Our liturgy this week invites us to keep maintaining and growing those relationships that sustain us.

In response to the overwhelming NO in Australia: To join with the First Nations leadership of the Uluṟu Statement from the Heart To have a week of silence.

This weekend we will be reflecting on the great sadness that so many of us are feeling as we try to come to terms with the reality that our country has said ‘no’ to our First People’s having a voice to parliament. You are invited to participate in a short reflection

As we come to terms with one of the most divisive events in our country’s history, the question will be how will we be healed as a nation.

This weekend we are having a homily with a difference. As it is the week before the Referendum it is important for us to name some of the realities that face us as a nation as we prepare for next week's vote. As a community this will be an opportunity to speak with one another and name those realities publicly as we face this momentous event together.

This weekend Terry will be interviewing long term SMX member Peter Waterman. Peter is a teacher and a geographer with professional expertise in protecting sensitive and threatened environments. He has worked closely in Mapping and protecting South West Tasmania, the Alligator River in Kakadu, Jarvis Bay in NSW and Cockburn Sound in WA. With such an interesting life, this will be a fascinating interview.

This week Terry interviews Leanne Rodwell. This is an opportunity to get to know another of our community members a little more, to find out what inspires and motivates them and to learn what keeps them up at night.

This weekend we will be listening to an Australian Story program on the life of Megan Davis, one of the key architects and facilitators of the Uluru Statement and requests for a First Nations Voice to Parliament. This is an important story for us all to know and understand. Many of the criticisms of the Uluru Statement make the claim that it is a product of a Canberra elite out of touch with the poverty of many First Nations people. Hearing Megan’s story puts paid to these criticisms.